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Elijah Edwards - Progress ?

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loki04 said:
Lol I don't think there are any sub 165cm, I would say from 2000 on there may have been a couple.
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There was a WCE player last year who I remember was 165 odd. He played 1 or 2 games iirc. Although I think he may have since been delisted - not too sure of his name right now. Ill have a look around for it though.

EDIT: I take that back actually. It was Ryan Neates and he was 169cm. Was the shortest on an afl list last year.
 
FWIW I saw a lot of Jake Neade play for St Pats over the last 3 years at 168 he was a regular BOG played in 3 winning shield finals and wreaked havoc on oppositions with his vision decision making and forward pressure also tackled well above his size due to speed and technique a la Cyril port happy to list him if our boy could get to 168 I'd back him in
 
From the highlights video it was clear that his pace is obviously outstanding and he seemed to have a good attack on the ball but am I wrong or do his skills still need to lift a bit? At 165cm there's not much room for error and while I have only seen the one small video and heard nothing about him previously I was surprised that it showed him missing a few targets. Hopefully I'm wrong.
There's no room any more in the afl for guys who get it but give it to the opposition. It just comes back over your head too quick now. Simon Buckley suffered in this area sadly. We also have Ben Sinclair who has some work to do.
 
He seemed to draw 3 players to him regularly and weave between them like a Janome. That's a great tool - speed AND agility. If he draws players he opens up some free player, otherwise he can tear away. Thought his disposal seemed to hit the targets pretty well.
 

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On his disposal from what I've noticed it has lacked some consistency and his kick lacking penetration.

The reports from Collingwood training have suggested he was a clean user of the footy and mostly consistent so we'll know more this year. Perhaps he has improved his ball use some.

Those that are commenting that he has the speed and agility combination. You're absolutely right. He can turn any way he wants and get around, past or just dodge anyone. Put a ball in his hand and he'll go and you won't get anyone catching him because he moves in a way only a little man can. This is why he is a legit prospect despite his lack of height. He's sprinted end to end in games dodging and weaving past guys then after he's run back pocket to forward flank he's lace out hit a target - and through that kind of play changed the game on a number of occasions so no reason why he can't continue doing this against any level of competition.

I'm also really encouraged by the signs from the interview. Being an indigenous kid it's massive going to one of the elite private schools in Victoria and boarding and settling in. That speaks volumes in my mind about his character and the interview with Luke for the website also encouraging. So many of those kids in a similar situation wouldn't have the character to make it work and would request to go home, so as with Cyril Rioli who had success in that same situation you really have to respect him.
 
Old Spice said:
He seemed to draw 3 players to him regularly and weave between them like a Janome. That's a great tool - speed AND agility. If he draws players he opens up some free player, otherwise he can tear away. Thought his disposal seemed to hit the targets pretty well.
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Thought it was more a Singer style. He works hard on the old foot pedal. It's a deadset give away.
Janome...pfffftttt!:)
 
Knightmare said:
Those that are commenting that he has the speed and agility combination. You're absolutely right. He can turn any way he wants and get around, past or just dodge anyone.
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Yep, said it before & I'll say it again, that lateral movement at the 21/22 sec mark has my full attention.
No fluffer required!
 
Was he a NSW scholorship prospect?
When could we draft him?
We haven't drafted the wunderkind yet.
 
Obese Arachnid said:
Was he a NSW scholorship prospect?
When could we draft him?
We haven't drafted the wunderkind yet.
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No he wasn't, but was overlooked in the most recent drafts as an uber-talented shortarse.
 
The Royal Sampler said:
No he wasn't, but was overlooked in the most recent drafts as an uber-talented shortarse.
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Loccy McGregor is a freak but didn't get drafted dare say due to hieght even though he can leap tall buildings (litterally jump on ruckmens heads), seriously has dominated every comp he has played in including the NSW u/18 champ games, Broken Hill A grade GF kicked 10 goals to win, u/19s glenelg team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AjULjsvWg_Y

He took those type of marks regularly in the local league at least 1 a week on taller opponents.

Dominated for NSW u18 team in the champs inc a 35 disp 5 goal game, wonder if any of the draft savvy watcher know why he didn't even get a rookie list offer?
 

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The article on the pies site ( I'm sure you've all read it..) says that he is eligible to get drafted this year. Seems like the clock is really ticking to get home muscle and height into him.
 
THATSGOLD said:

We should have drafted this guy over him.
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Bench is quick. He's much better inside than Edwards, has a better skillset and will find you more of the footy. He's another of those minis who can really play and dominate the u18s and there were 2-3 clubs looking at him as a rookie.

With Edwards while they both have that similar ability to reach top speed right away Edwards has a touch more initial burst, higher level agility then a much higher top speed which he can remain at for longer than the just 15-20m bursts you see from Bench. Bench is more good for those Josh Thomas bursts of pace he had as a junior with higher level agility.

Bench's highlights are great, when you see Edwards' at years end they'll be better again with higher again level demonstrations of pace and agility. Highlights don't mean you can play at the next year and they are just highlights. But he's fun to watch and can impact games with his pace which doesn't guarantee him a rookie position, but puts him in the mix given we can rookie him outside of 4 regular rookie positions (as we have with Richmond) which in a Collingwood context makes him very relevant given our lack of outside linebreakers with a mostly even paced team.
 
Knightmare said:
Bench is quick. He's much better inside than Edwards, has a better skillset and will find you more of the footy. He's another of those minis who can really play and dominate the u18s and there were 2-3 clubs looking at him as a rookie.

With Edwards while they both have that similar ability to reach top speed right away Edwards has a touch more initial burst, higher level agility then a much higher top speed which he can remain at for longer than the just 15-20m bursts you see from Bench. Bench is more good for those Josh Thomas bursts of pace he had as a junior with higher level agility.

Bench's highlights are great, when you see Edwards' at years end they'll be better again with higher again level demonstrations of pace and agility. Highlights don't mean you can play at the next year and they are just highlights. But he's fun to watch and can impact games with his pace which doesn't guarantee him a rookie position, but puts him in the mix given we can rookie him outside of 4 regular rookie positions (as we have with Richmond) which in a Collingwood context makes him very relevant given our lack of outside linebreakers with a mostly even paced team.
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Do you think Edwards is quicker than Mooney?
 
carnthepies19 said:
Do you think Edwards is quicker than Mooney?
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Mooney tests well and doesn't probably show it enough in game.

Edwards very much shows it in games so I'd take his pace over Mooney's in the same way I'd take Lewis Jetta's pace over Joel Wilkinson's. Wilkinson tested off the charts 2-3 years ago and Jetta underwhelmed but then in game we all know what he can do, so just on pace I'd give Edwards the points. He has a better initial burst from zero, far superior agility then at full pace can also go a greater distance whereas Mooney to this point only really uses it to chase as opposed to taking on opposition and doesn't yet have that confidence to use it offensively yet.
 
Knightmare said:
Mooney tests well and doesn't probably show it enough in game.

Edwards very much shows it in games so I'd take his pace over Mooney's in the same way I'd take Lewis Jetta's pace over Joel Wilkinson's. Wilkinson tested off the charts 2-3 years ago and Jetta underwhelmed but then in game we all know what he can do, so just on pace I'd give Edwards the points. He has a better initial burst from zero, far superior agility then at full pace can also go a greater distance whereas Mooney to this point only really uses it to chase as opposed to taking on opposition and doesn't yet have that confidence to use it offensively yet.
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I'm sorry but this is just a ridiculous statement. I saw Mooney kick 5 goals against Coburg in a losing side where they just kicked it over his head and he ran on to the ball. He has played one year of football and kicked 5 goals at the second highest level and also debuted at the highest. His upside is enormous. You are comparing this to under 16 football. I'd love Edwards to make it but the odds are hugely stacked against him.
 
jabbers said:
I'm sorry but this is just a ridiculous statement. I saw Mooney kick 5 goals against Coburg in a losing side where they just kicked it over his head and he ran on to the ball. He has played one year of football and kicked 5 goals at the second highest level and also debuted at the highest. His upside is enormous. You are comparing this to under 16 football. I'd love Edwards to make it but the odds are hugely stacked against him.
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Saying I'd take Edwards' pace of Mooney's pace is not a reflection of who is the better player but rather a suggestion that Edwards in game uses his pace better than Mooney does. Mooney is often hesitant to take guys on with ball in hand and doesn't yet back himself and his running game at this point in time. Edwards is fearless and just goes. He creates space with his agility in a similar way to Krakouer and then bursts away like few others. So as I mentioned in my previous post Edwards utilises his pace and agility better in games than Mooney.

Do either make the grade? Too early to say. Mooney was terrific in his debut season at VFL level with his tackling game impressive and marking ability solid up forward. With Edwards it's too far out to say and having not even played any TAC yet I'm not prepaired to say Edwards is a better player than Mooney or anyone else and until he proves it, in my mind he's not.
 

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jabbers said:
I'm sorry but this is just a ridiculous statement. I saw Mooney kick 5 goals against Coburg in a losing side where they just kicked it over his head and he ran on to the ball. He has played one year of football and kicked 5 goals at the second highest level and also debuted at the highest. His upside is enormous. You are comparing this to under 16 football. I'd love Edwards to make it but the odds are hugely stacked against him.
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A debutante up against a heavyweight champion of magpies' BF! I'll settle in to view what transpires from here. Salivating!
 
Obese Arachnid said:
Thought it was more a Singer style. He works hard on the old foot pedal. It's a deadset give away.
Janome...pfffftttt!:)
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Wouldn't pfaff! be more apt?
 
jabbers said:
I'm sorry but this is just a ridiculous statement. I saw Mooney kick 5 goals against Coburg in a losing side where they just kicked it over his head and he ran on to the ball. He has played one year of football and kicked 5 goals at the second highest level and also debuted at the highest. His upside is enormous. You are comparing this to under 16 football. I'd love Edwards to make it but the odds are hugely stacked against him.
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Mooney is quick when he doesn't have the ball in hand. But when he's got the ball he can be like a dog chasing a car and catches it and doesn't know what to do next. If he's within scoring distance then he's fine because he'll have a ping. But if he doesn't have a scoring opportunity then he struggles.

I haven't seen Edwards' play, but if his highlights reel is to be believed then he seems to cope better in traffic with ball in hand.
 
Is there any more recent footage of Edwards, besides that package of Rams games from 2010. That was 3-4 years ago now as a what, 14yo? We can't take much from those highlights anymore. I am encouraged by some of the reviews of those who have seen him live and his reported performances for Scotch as their b&f.
 
Quicky said:
Is there any more recent footage of Edwards, besides that package of Rams games from 2010. That was 3-4 years ago now as a what, 14yo? We can't take much from those highlights anymore.
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Apparently not, but lukem has on his to-do list to try and get video of him from the NSW U18 Champs if he participates :)
 
I'm sure there was some footage from 2011, think someone posted it in the Magpie Watch section.
Stuffed if I can find it on youtube though.

EDIT: Went through thirty odd pages & couldn't find it.

Found some old articles if anyone is interested.

http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/1039164/rising-bay-star-named-in-elite-squad/
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/goldfields/a/-/sport/10153878/pies-swoop-on-elijah/

Unless I was thinking of this footage. But I thought it was specific to him. ( Didn't watch it most of it but I got at least one glimpse of him in the background, sorry doesn't really help)

 

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